The truth is, no matter how hard you protest, there is No Neet Solution. While it is most unfortunate that lives have been lost - in the wake of Neet dispensation, in Tamil Nadu, it is not fair or proper for the politicians to keep the pot boiling, little realising the serious impact it would have and is having on present and future generations of aspiring and dreaming children. It is not as if they would be unaware of the consequences of their agitating and dissenting ways on the Neet regime, as if it was a political decision and the Central government is to blame.
It is far from the truth and truth has become a huge casualty - with cacophonous ideological food fights on idiot boxes, being brought into our homes. It is having a deleterious effect on the student community, as if it was a ‘political’ issue and political class could solve it. Sad. (as in the last word of a Trump tweet).
Let’s get real first. Until 2012 CBSE was conducting the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) for medical college aspirants. In the wake of repeated challenges ‘in contested admissions landing in courts’, the Supreme Court expressed anguish and dismay at how ‘young careers were being spoilt when it most mattered’- and sought why the administration could not come up with a ‘Neet’ solution and thus was born this beast, described variantly.
Typically, the protests were loudest in TN and the first of the Neet tests in 2013- led to challenge by educational trusts from TN and elsewhere. Then came the ‘infamous’ verdict from Supreme court of July, 12, 2013 from a three-Judges’ bench led by the late Justice Chief Justice Altimas Kabir. Who can forget the ‘leakage’ of the judgment on the day of superannuation of the Chief Justice - prior to its delivery and’ court corridors full of dark stories’ which led to the incoming Chief Justice P Sathasivam promising ‘enquiry. (Well, what enquiry? You can now ask, for no one knows what came of it, or was it a non-starter?).
Then, it was in April, 2016 the top court, at long last reversed the ‘leaked verdict’ and restored the ‘Neet regime’ as the way to go. Though Neet exam was conducted on May, 1, 2016, answering the clamour from States, TN in the bandwagon, Central Government obliged with an ordinance on May 25, 2016. It did not help as Supreme court was not amused. Then TN came up with its own ordinance to dispense with Neet compliance and Presidential assent never came, as the first citizen of India had constitutional values in his DNA.
And when the High court’s Madurai bench stayed the results of Neet exam in May 2017- for ‘different question papers in different regions’- on June 12, apex court set aside the stay. And of course, 2018 exams were held in different regions, in May 2018 and the results have also been out. No stay was possible as Supreme court had made it clear in 2016 itself that no other court would be empowered to interfere in this issue.
Honestly, it is the Supreme court that has stood up to the rights of the ‘doctor aspirants’. The Judges have been firm and resolute. They have seen through the game of the ‘educational trusts’, ‘powerful lobbies’ and ‘political anxieties’ . They were unwilling to yield as they felt that ‘public interest’ demanded it. The politicians in TN cannot have any grouse against the Central government, which actually may be more than willing, if only .....But the top court is in no mood to relent, for they have seen through this game for years and years - including the ‘leakage’. Their credibility is on the line and public interest is Supreme.
If at all, the politicos in TN can only tilt at the windmills of apex court. They know the futility of doing so. So, they are picking on the Central government, as if the Supreme court meant little.
It is therefore time for our ‘leaders’ not to keep this pot boiling and spoil it for the kids. Instead, the focus ought to be on ‘enhancing and strengthening the educational standards of our children’ the only noble way to go. Voicing the concern of ‘village children’ is a ruse, for our children from the villages are far more intelligent and they only need the ‘training’ which is our responsibility.
We should not fail them. We owe it to the children/doctor aspirants and let us stop playing politics with ‘their careers and lives’. No more lives need to be lost and we cannot afford to lose even one life.
( Author is a practising Advocate in the Madras High Court)
